Frankfurt Court Holds Meta Liable for Scam Ads on Instagram and Facebook

The Frankfurt regional court ruled on September 16 that Meta is liable for scam ads using fake profiles impersonating Thomas Kehl on Instagram and Facebook. Meta was ordered to stop the practice, disclose information about the fake accounts, and pay damages, with fines of up to €250,000 for further violations.

• Court ruled Meta is a perpetrator, not a neutral host, due to algorithmic ad ranking
• Plaintiffs filed around 256 reports in a month; some takedowns took up to 62 days
• Meta must stop the practice, provide information on fake accounts, and pay damages
• Fines for further violations up to €250,000; dispute value set at €300,000